Brisbane’s new Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner pledges to spend millions on parks and green space

Brisbane’s new Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner will splash millions of dollars on new parks and green space under a bold push to future-proof the city.

BRISBANE’S new Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner will splash millions of dollars on new parks and green space under a bold push to future-proof the city.

The Courier-Mail can reveal Cr Schrinner will unveil his plan to deliver the biggest investment in green space Brisbane has ever seen when he is sworn into the city’s top job today.

His administration will direct 100 per cent of dividends generated from the City of Brisbane Investment Corporation to the five-year plan.

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The CBIC is the city’s future fund and, since it was established in 2008, has provided more than $110 million in dividends to Council, including $20 million in 2018.

Brisbane’s new Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner. Picture: Annette Dew

Cr Schrinner said he couldn’t think of a better investment for Brisbane’s future than creating more parks and green space across the city.

“This investment will allow us to build the critical parks our city needs and protecting our unique lifestyle and green space,” he said.

“Brisbane residents have told us they want more green space with new places to relax and this five-year program will deliver more land for community sport and recreation.

“Keeping Brisbane clean and green is all about making our city liveable and sustainable for our children and future generations.”

The money will go towards accelerating the creation or purchasing of more parks and sporting fields, and would be in addition to money Council has already set aside for existing projects.

“At the last election, Lord Mayor Graham Quirk committed to fast-track the purchase of 750ha of bushland over four years and in just three years almost 700ha has been secured,” Cr Schrinner said.

The incoming Lord Mayor is yet to reveal where the money will be spent, but it follows other green-themed announcements, such as the construction of five green bridges.

Cr Schrinner will make the announcement in his inaugural address as Lord Mayor today, when he will be officially sworn into the role at a special meeting of Council.

It comes after Graham Quirk made the shock decision to bow out of politics after eight years as Lord Mayor and more than three decades in local government.

Cr Quirk attended his final official event as Lord Mayor yesterday, dedicating the extension of the Centenary War Memorial at Mount Ommaney.